Chapter 12
"Can we get going?" Yaze asked, his tone impatient. "I have other things to do."
"Yes, sir!" Kakashi and Ayaka replied in unison.
"We'll be going on foot," Yaze said, then with a sudden burst of speed, he leaped nearly forty meters into the air, landing gracefully atop the gate. "It'll be easier to stay hidden."
"How are you able to do that?!" Kakashi exclaimed, amazed by the display of supernatural agility. He was still learning the extent of their abilities.
"Kakashi, just concentrate your karma on your feet and jump; the concentrated energy will boost your movement," Ayaka instructed, demonstrating by leaping effortlessly onto the gate herself.
Kakashi closed his eyes, attempting to focus his karma as Ayaka had shown, but when he jumped, he slipped and almost fell. Luckily, Yaze caught his arm, pulling him up and hoisting him under his arm, his arm wrapping around Kakashi's waist for support.
"At least you won't fall if I hold you like this," Yaze said, his voice flat, as Ayaka burst into laughter.
"What did you say? Leave me alone; I can jump on my own! And Ayaka, you better stop laughing. Hey, answer me, dammit!" Kakashi grumbled, struggling against Yaze's hold as they continued their acrobatic journey, leaving him to complain to himself as they leaped through the air.
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Reaching Shinjuku, Yaze deposited them near the train station.
"Something important just came up," he said, his voice devoid of emotion. "I'll be leaving you two for a while; you can investigate on your own until I return." With that, he vanished.
"Ugh, I feel like I'm going to pass out," Kakashi groaned, collapsing onto a nearby bench. "We were moving too fast."
"What do you mean by that?!" Ayaka exclaimed, clearly amused. "You didn't even walk; Yaze-sensei carried you all the way here."
"I'm not good at handling air pressure, and I think I swallowed a bug," Kakashi complained, rubbing his stomach.
"I don't have time for this; we have a mission," Ayaka said, turning to leave. Kakashi scrambled to his feet and followed her.
"Wait!" he called out.
"What is it?" Ayaka asked, impatiently.
"I'm Kakashi Yami," Kakashi said, extending his hand for a handshake.
Ayaka stepped back, clearly wary.
"What are you doing?" she asked, a hint of suspicion in her voice.
"Since we met—not to mention how awkward it was—we didn't get to properly introduce ourselves," Kakashi explained.
Ayaka sighed. "Ayaka Kamisato," she said, her tone still cautious. "Since that's over, what do we do?"
"I thought you knew what to do," Kakashi replied, his expression neutral.
"I've never been outside the academy on my own. How could I know what to do?!" Ayaka retorted.
"That's our sensei for you—sending us on a mission and walking away without giving us any details. What kind of teacher does that?!" Kakashi sighed. "Hinata's parents live in Shinjuku; I should visit them now that I have the opportunity."
"Huh? We're on a mission, and you want to go on a visit?!" Ayaka exclaimed. "Who the heck is Hinata, anyway?!"
"For a girl who calls herself a goddess, shouldn't you try not to talk like that?" Kakashi teased.
"I'll speak however I please!" Ayaka snapped.
Kakashi approached a passing woman. "Excuse me, do you know this location?" he asked, showing her the address card he'd received from Hinata's father.
The woman nodded and gave them directions. Kakashi thanked her profusely.
"Let's get going," Kakashi said.
"No, thanks. I'm going to respect Yaze-sensei's orders. You can go if you want," Ayaka said, turning away.
"Okay," Kakashi replied and started walking.
Ayaka quickly caught up. "Wait! I don't mean you should leave me behind!" she said, her voice slightly breathless.
"But you said you're not coming."
"Well, I'm going now. But I'm not doing this because of you; I just think that as teammates, we should stick together," she mumbled, a blush creeping onto her cheeks.
"Now I get it," Kakashi said, a grin spreading across his face.
"Get what?" Ayaka asked, a suspicious look on her face.
"You're a tsundere!"
"I'M NOT A TSUNDERE!!!" Ayaka yelled, her face turning bright red.
"Okay, let's go," Kakashi said, chuckling. "Tsundere."
"I have told you, I am NOT a tsundere!!!!" Ayaka repeated, her voice rising in pitch.
Ayaka looks cute when she's angry, Kakashi thought, suppressing a smile.
They reached a house in a quiet residential area. Ayaka rang the doorbell, and a young woman, about seventeen, answered.
"Can I help you?" she asked politely, although Ayaka sensed a hint of apprehension in her tone.
"Yes, we're from the ASE, and we just want to ask a few questions," Ayaka replied, her voice calm and reassuring.
"Okay, come in, then," the young woman said, her relief palpable. She led them inside and offered them seats.
Ayaka whispered to Kakashi, "Leave the talking to me."
Hinata rushed to Kakashi and hugged him tightly.
"Kakashi-sensei, I didn't expect you to come so soon," Hinata said, her voice filled with joy. Her sister coughed slightly. "Oh, I'm sorry. This is my sister, Amai."
"Nice to meet you," Kakashi said, returning the greeting.
"No, the pleasure is mine. Thank you for what you did for my sister," Amai said, her tone sincere.
"It was nothing," Kakashi replied modestly.
"Kakashi-sensei, my parents aren't home now, but we can hang out," Hinata suggested.
"I'm not your sensei…at least, not yet," Kakashi corrected gently. "I wish I could stay, but I'm busy right now."
"Then why are you here, sensei?" Hinata asked, puzzled.
"Where are my manners? Please wait while I get you some cups of tea," Amai said, then called Hinata to help her.
She returned with two cups of tea, offering them to Kakashi and Ayaka.
"We got reports of missing people around this part of the city," Ayaka began, taking a sip of her tea. "We just want to know whether you saw anything unusual that could help us."
"You heard about it, too?" Amai asked, her expression serious. "It started about two weeks ago. I'm sorry, but that's all I can say; I haven't seen anything. Most of what I can tell you are just rumors you might have heard already."
"Okay, we'll be taking our leave, then," Ayaka announced.
"Wait!!!" Hinata called out, her voice urgent.
"Huh?" Kakashi responded. "What's wrong, Hinata?"
"I might be able to tell you something," she said shyly, her eyes wide with a mixture of fear and apprehension.
"Do you know anything about it?" Ayaka asked, her interest piqued.
"Yes…the cause…is my friend. His name is Tomura," Hinata replied, her voice barely a whisper. Her expression was one of profound shock, hinting at a deeper, more disturbing truth.
HINATA'S FLASHBACK
Tomura's father wasn't always the unsupportive man he was now. He had once been a kind, gentle man, devoted to his family. His mother had been a respected ASE executioner—a strong woman praised for her skills despite being human. Tomura had always admired his mother and often stated his desire to follow in her footsteps.